Firing Line Season 1 Episodes

Episode 1

Poverty: Hopeful or Hopeless?

Sat, Apr 30, 1966

After the unveiling of President Lyndon B. Johnson's "War On Poverty," host William F. Buckley debates Michael Harrington, the author of "The Other America," on the issue of whether the United States government can assuage the hardships of impoverished citizens through federal initiatives.

Episode 2

Prayer in the Public Schools

Wed, Apr 6, 1966

The controversial Bishop James A. Pike of the Episcopal Church presents his views on the subject of school prayer and the First Amendment.

Episode 3

Vietnam: Pull Out? Stay In? Escalate?

Fri, Apr 8, 1966

Guest Norman Thomas, six-time Socialist Party candidate for President, debates William F. Buckley on America's involvement in the Vietnam War, which Thomas opposes.

Episode 4

Capital Punishment

Mon, Apr 11, 1966

Steve Allen, the first host of "The Tonight Show," converses with William Buckley on the contested question of the death penalty in the United States justice system. Although Allen was widely known as a comedian and entertainer, he was also a societal commentator and an ardent critic of the death penalty. Buckley and Allen discuss whether the death penalty deters crimes and whether each individual possesses moral agency.

Episode 5

Where Does the Civil Rights Movement Go Now?

Mon, Apr 18, 1966

William F. Buckley debates civil rights activist James Farmer on the controversial "affirmative action" policy and whether it supports substantive equality for the socio-economically disadvantaged or is it a form of reverse discrimination.

Episode 6

Should the House Committee on Un-American Activities Be Abolished?

Thu, Apr 21, 1966

John Henry Faulk was a victim of the anti-Communist organization called Aware, which had brought him to the attention of the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Mr. Faulk sued Aware and was awarded "the most colossal judgment in libel history". He is now seeking the abolition of the committee which is the topic of this show.

Episode 7

The Prevailing Bias

Mon, May 2, 1966

Buckley and David Susskind debate whether a liberal bias exists in the media. Susskind argues a liberal consensus exists among academics since the Progressive Era. Buckley insists a deeper bias exists that predates the Age of Enlightenment.

Episode 8

The New Frontier: The Great Society

Fri, May 6, 1966

Writer and presidential advisor Richard N. Goodwin defends the "The Great Society", a series of domestic programs enacted by President Lyndon B. Johnson with the goal of eliminating poverty and racial injustice in the United States.

Episode 9

Civil Disobedience: How Far Can It Go?

Mon, May 16, 1966

Episode 10

McCarthyism: Past, Present, Future

Mon, May 16, 1966

Leo Cherne deplores Joseph McCarthy's excesses; in particular, McCarthy's wild accusations that Dwight Eisenhower, George Marshall, and Dean Acheson were communist agents. Cherne then discusses the merits of McCarthyism in an open society.

Episode 11

Vietnam: What Next?

Mon, May 23, 1966

William F. Buckley debates outspoken opponent if the Vietnam War, Staughton Lynd, who recently returned from a controversial visit to Hanoi, on peace negotiations.

Episode 12

The Future of States' Rights

Sat, Jul 2, 1966

Episode 13

The Future of the Republican Party

Thu, May 26, 1966

Episode 14

The Future of the American Theater

Mon, Jun 6, 1966

Episode 15

Bobby Kennedy and Other Mixed Blessings

Mon, Jun 6, 1966

Episode 16

The Future of Conservatism

Thu, Jun 9, 1966

Former senator Barry Goldwater dryly estimates and tabulates the Republican Party's 1968 electoral prospects. A deferential Buckley solicits Goldwater's thoughts on Medicare and executive power.

Episode 17

Public Power vs. Private Power

Thu, Jun 9, 1966

Episode 18

Communists and Civil Liberties

Fri, Jun 10, 1966

Episode 19

The Role of the Church Militant

Mon, Jun 27, 1966

Episode 20

Why Are the Students Unhappy?

Mon, Jun 27, 1966

Episode 21

Senator Dodd and General Klein

Mon, Aug 22, 1966

Episode 22

Extremism

Mon, Aug 22, 1966

Dore Schary, the director of The Anti-Defamation League, defends his recent book on the subject of right-wing extremism in the U.S. Buckley objects to Schary's contention that Barry Goldwater's 1964 campaign was dominated by extremists.

Episode 23

Civil Rights and Foreign Policy

Mon, Aug 22, 1966

Episode 24

The President and the Press

Mon, Sep 12, 1966

Episode 25

Are Public Schools Necessary?

Mon, Sep 12, 1966

Episode 26

The Playboy Philosophy

Mon, Sep 12, 1966

Buckley interviews a pipe-smoking Hugh Hefner on the topics of the Playboy Philosophy, the Sexual Revolution of the 20th century, and the utility of moral codes. Near the end of the program, Buckley contends that Hefner's espoused beliefs are inconsistent with the rigid guidelines for female employees at Hefner's clubs.

Episode 27

Do Liberals Make Good Republicans?

Thu, Sep 15, 1966

Episode 28

Should Labor Power Be Reduced?

Mon, Sep 19, 1966

Episode 29

Communist China and the United Nations

Mon, Sep 19, 1966

Should Red China be admitted to the United Nations, at the expense of expelling Nationalist China? Max Lerner is the guest.

Episode 30

National Priorities and Disarmament

Mon, Oct 3, 1966

Seymour Melman, professor of industrial engineering at Columbia University, talks about disarmament .

Episode 31

LBJ and Evans and Novak

Mon, Oct 3, 1966

Episode 32

Civilian Review Board: Yes or No?

Fri, Oct 7, 1966

Episode 33

Criminals and the Supreme Court

Mon, Nov 7, 1966

Episode 34

Open Housing

Mon, Nov 7, 1966

Episode 35

The Failure of Organized Religion

Mon, Nov 14, 1966

Episode 36

What to do with the American Teenager?

Mon, Nov 14, 1966

New York disc jockey Murray the K discusses modern teen-agers and their communication problems.

Episode 37

Elections 1966 and 1968

Mon, Nov 21, 1966

Robert Novak, co-author of "LBJ: Exercise of Power," talks with William F Buckley Jr. about the future of the Republican Party and possible GOP candidates for the Presidency in 1968.

Episode 38

Sports, Persecution, and Christians

Mon, Nov 28, 196648 mins

Sir Arnold Lynn, author of "Now I See," talks about the influence of political and religious ideas on international sports.

Episode 39

The Warren Report: Fact or Fiction?

Thu, Dec 1, 1966

Mark Lane, the author of "Rush to Judgment," discusses his claims about John F. Kennedy's death. Buckley and Lane debate the accuracy of the Warren Report, the competence of Chief Justice Earl Warren, and the political context of Lane's investigation.